NA passes resolution against killing of polio workers

National Assembly (NA) has unanimously adopted a resolution to condemn the targeted killing of volunteers especially female workers in anti-polio campaign in Karachi and Peshawar.Deputy Speaker Faisal Karim Kundi presided over the National Assembly session, which opened with the opposition’s vehement protest over the absence of parliamentary secretaries.A consensus condemnatory resolution was passed in the lower house against the assassination of the polio vaccinators in Karachi and Peshawar.Tabled jointly by Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM), Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the resolution demanded the security of the volunteers be ensured.Legislators voicing their condemnation against the attacks and killings of polio teams in different cities of the country demanded of the government to take concrete steps to curb the incidence of attacks on teams.Deputy Speaker Faisal Karim Kundi said attacks on polio teams were a matter of grave concern and warrant serious consideration.Sheikh Aftab of PML-N said that pick and chose mode of killing is continuing unremittingly in the country and target killing has been directed to polio teams now.Begum Yasmin Rehman of PPP demanded of the government to take measures for safety of the polio teams.Bushra Rehman questioned as to why the life of underage girls is being put at stake by making them part of polio campaign. In Balochistan underage boys are being included in polio teams, she regretted.Hamid Saeed Kazmi said propaganda campaign is being launched against polio drive. Certain elements say such chemical is included in polio vaccine which is being used for genocide of Muslims. Such propaganda be countered through Civil society and Ulema, he urged. Polio vaccine be got tested from some laboratory to allay the fears of the people, he demanded.The lawmakers also expressed annoyance over absence of ministers in the house. Faisal Karim Kundi deputy speaker said ministers do not attach importance to the parliament. Interior minister some time is found in London and sometime he flies to India. It is not known as to why he does not come to parliament. Finance Minister has turned away his face from the parliament, he added.Barjis Tahir of PML-N aid entry of such ministers to parliament be stopped and their salaries be ceased.Bushra Rehman of ANP demanded the ministers who don’t come to parliament be sacked.Parliamentary Secretary for Interior Rai Mujtaba Kharal told the House during question hour that the validity period of official passports is also being enhanced upto ten years and the work is underway in this regard.To a supplementary question‚ he said the matter of delay in the issuance of passports to the citizens has been resolved.Replying to another question‚ Parliamentary Secretary for Finance Sajjad-ul-Hassan said that the matter of holding of Population and Housing Census in the country is underconsideration with Council of Common Interests. He said after the final decision the 6th Census in the country will be conducted.The House was adjourned till Thursday morning 11:00 am.